The Rivers State Ministry of Health has called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community influencers to intensify efforts in educating young people about the dangers of tobacco use and nicotine addiction.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Wachukwu Vincent, made the call during a press briefing in Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2026 World No Tobacco Day.
He noted that the theme for this year, “Unmasking the Appeal Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” highlights strategies used by tobacco and nicotine industries to attract young and first-time users through flavoured products, deceptive marketing, and appealing packaging.
Dr. Vincent described tobacco use as one of the leading preventable causes of death globally, linking it to heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, and other non-communicable diseases. He added that beyond health implications, tobacco consumption places significant social and economic burdens on families and healthcare systems.
The Permanent Secretary expressed concern over the growing popularity of emerging nicotine products among adolescents and young adults, noting that many are designed to appear modern and less harmful, thereby creating a false sense of safety while fostering addiction.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to strengthening tobacco control measures, enhancing public awareness, and promoting healthier environments.
“As part of our efforts, the state is working on new legislation to strengthen tobacco control. The proposed law, which will soon be presented to the House of Assembly, seeks to restrict access to tobacco products by minors, regulate consumption, and enforce designated smoking areas to protect the public from second-hand smoke,” he said.
Dr. Vincent emphasized that effective tobacco control requires strong laws, enforcement, and collective action from all stakeholders. He urged residents to support smoke-free environments and reject the growing appeal of tobacco and nicotine products.
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Also speaking, the Alliance Coordinator of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, Olawale Makanjuola, raised concerns over increasing tobacco use among young Nigerians.
He cited data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, revealing that two out of every five Nigerian children between the ages of 13 and 15 are involved in smoking, describing the trend as alarming.
Makanjuola attributed the rise to aggressive marketing strategies by tobacco companies, including the introduction of flavoured products such as strawberry, watermelon, and orange, which appeal to younger audiences.
He further warned about the increasing use of electronic smoking devices, noting that many young users consume high nicotine levels within short periods, thereby accelerating addiction rates.
According to him, the rising number of young smokers poses a significant threat to public health and places additional strain on the country’s healthcare system.
Both speakers called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, and the media to intensify public sensitisation and reduce tobacco use, particularly among young people.
They stressed that protecting children from nicotine addiction is critical to building a healthier and more productive society.
